Mealybugs or Scale on Phalaenopsis: Alcohol Wipe & Systemic Treatment

White Powder = Insects

White fuzzy underside of lower leaves = mealybugs (cottony) or scale (shell-like). Both suck sap, killing plant. Confirm by wiping with alcohol-dipped Q-tip: mealybugs reveal tiny bodies; scale harder to remove.

Full Eradication Protocol

1. Repot all affected plants.
2. During repot, wipe every leaf with alcohol-soaked cloth.
3. Apply systemic orchid insecticide (3 treatments, 7–10 days apart).
4. Clean growing area before returning plants.

Bottom leaf loss is normal; upper leaf loss is not.